-- Two former prosecutors on opposite sides of the aisle said the order to stop a second John Doe probe is overly broad and could have a chilling effect on future investigations.

Former Waukesha County District Attorney Paul Bucher, a Republican, told “UPFRONT with Mike Gousha” that federal Judge Rudy Randa seemed angry in his ruling on the lawsuit, brought by the Wisconsin Club for Growth. Randa called for prosecutors to cease their investigation and return or destroy related materials.

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“I was speechless,” Bucher said. “The ruling was so broad and so far sweeping… There are no convictions here, this isn't a trial; it is an investigative tool that prosecutors use to see if there’s something they need to pursue.”

The lawsuit brought before Randa alleges the John Doe investigation infringed on the Wisconsin Club for Growth’s right to free speech under the First Amendment.

According to former Kenosha County District Attorney Bob Jambois, a Democrat, the ruling could hamper future investigations into collusion between campaigns and issue advocacy groups. He appeared alongside Bucher on the program, produced in a partnership with WisPolitics.com.

Jambois said former federal prosecutor Francis Schmitz was appointed as a special prosecutor after several former judges on the GAB found grounds for an investigation. He said Randa’s ruling threatens prosecutors.

“This is a chilling imposition upon prosecutors… He’s ruled that the prosecutors have absolutely no grounds to be enforcing a law that’s on the books in the state of Wisconsin,” Jambois said. “Nobody disputes Francis Schmitz’s objectivity and independence. He’s being pilloried by this judge; he’s being threatened with being personally liable for basically doing his job.”

Bucher criticized Randa for telling the defendants in the investigation to cease cooperation with the prosecution. He said the order could have wider implications in how increasingly well-funded issue advocates interact with campaigning politicians.

“If the defendants try to cooperate or further the investigation, it is grounds for contempt,” Bucher said. “This is a significant decision, not only for prosecutors, but… for campaigns down the road.”

Jambois said he believes there is “very little question” there was collusion between issue advocates and the Walker campaign. He said such coordination is illegal in Wisconsin and condemned Randa’s characterization of the investigation as frivolous.

“For Judge Randa to conclude that that is the height of frivolousness… is mind boggling,” Jambois said. “I don’t anticipate that the Seventh Circuit (appeals court) is going to look upon this kindly.”

Although Bucher said he disagrees with Jambois’ assertion of illegal coordination, he predicted the ruling would see an appeal.

“I don’t think there was collusion, but that’s what they’re looking for,” Bucher said. “I think this is going to go back to the Seventh Circuit, and I think… all the judges are going to look at this.”

-- Winnebago County Executive Mark Harris said his campaign for the 6th Congressional District will focus on easing legislative gridlock.

Harris, a Democrat, said his three potential Republican opponents have “misread” the interests of the district. They are seeking to succeed longtime Republican Tom Petri, who's retiring at the end of this year.

“I think the Republican candidates are positioning themselves way to the right,” Harris said. “I think the district wants someone who’s a centrist. They want someone who’s willing to compromise and work with other members of Congress to get things done.”

Calling himself a fiscal conservative, Harris said he has maintained a balanced budget in Winnebago County while reducing spending and debt since he took office in 2005. He said the county has completed large projects, including a new nursing home and an engineering facility at UW-Fox Valley during that time.

If elected, Harris said he intends to focus on ensuring long-term viability of Social Security and the establishment of a highway infrastructure trust fund. He said he would also advocate for federal incentives for increased state support of public universities.

According to Harris, states previously covered an average of around 80 percent of tuition at public institutions, but have reduced that number to around 20 percent.

While many Democrats have expressed support for an increase to a $10.10 hourly minimum wage, Harris proposed tying the minimum wage to the national average year over year. Under his system, the current minimum wage would be around $8.53 an hour, and would go up with the national average.

“Minimum wage should be indexed against the prior year’s average private sector wage,” Harris said. “Any time minimum wage drops below 40 percent… it would automatically jump up to 42 percent.”

Harris acknowledged widespread disappointment with the rollout of the federal health care exchange, but said the healthcare law brought positive, popular changes, like an elimination of lifetime caps and denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions. He said he would defend those aspects of the law, but remains open to possible improvements.

“I would say, if you have a proposal of a change to modify the Affordable Care Act, bring it forward and I’ll give it every consideration. “I have no objection to making it better or dealing with some of the problems that are inherently in it.”

--JR Ross of Wispolitics.com explains the reasons behind the highest turnover in the state legislature in decades.